Melissa "Missy'' Haughery comes to Down Syndrome Alabama after a twenty-six-year career in education, where she vigorously advocated for students of all learning abilities and styles. Missy's educational philosophy includes the belief that an inclusive learning environment provides differentiated instruction with high expectations for all students and that a diverse classroom community promotes acceptance, tolerance, and compassion, vital traits for students to take with them to the real-world. As a senior teacher, Missy focused on post-secondary transition for all students to become hard-working, productive members of society.

A native Mobilian, Missy graduated from St. Paul's Episcopal School, and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Language Arts/Secondary Education from Birmingham-Southern College, where she was vice-president of the Student Government Association. She received a Master of Science degree in Educational Leadership from University of Alabama at Birmingham, where she was a recipient of the School Superintendents of Alabama Scholarship for outstanding leadership and educational contributions.

Missy and her husband Mark make their home in the Cahaba Heights community of Vestavia Hills with their three children, daughter, Annmarie, and twin sons, Chapman and John. John has Down syndrome.